Hard economic times have forced the Cherokee County School District to leave some children out when it opens 4-year-old kindergarten classes this fall.

The school district informed parents in a letter mailed June 29 it is unable to serve 37 children enrolled in last year's 3-year-old kindergarten program. The letter states these children did not meet the at-risk student criteria necessary to be served by the school district in the 2009-2010 school year.

Parents claim a state ranking system used by the school district this summer unfairly penalizes children for being raised in a good family environment.

Parents in jail,who have less than a high school education and who receive assistance from social services all have a better chance of qualifying for the district's 4-year-old kindergarten classes this school year. Abusive adults and family alcoholism earn families additional points under the state kindergarten ranking system used by the school district.

"My son loves school and looked forward to going back. He was very successful and learned a lot in his 3-year-old kindergarten class last year," parent Steve Bratton said. "It's almost like families are being punished by the school system when their child comes from a normal, average family."

The ranking system was devised by the early childhood office at the state Department of Education. A total possible score of 110-120 points is necessary because the district's Title 1 status requires local schools to serve students in the highestrisk categories this year.

The state only requires school districts to offer 5-year-old kindergarten programs.

The state provided $400,000 for 4-year-old kindergarten this year, which is enough to fund three classes in the school district. The district had 22 kindergarten classes during the 2008- 2009 school year.

Cherokee County has used $2 million in local taxpayer funds to offer 4-year-old kindergarten programs in all elementary schools for the past three years. Recent cuts in school funding have forced the district to scale back from 22 to 14 kindergarten classes for the coming school year.

One parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he simply feels he was misled by school officials when he enrolled his child in 3- year-old kindergarten class last year.

"In order to get into a 4-year-old kindergarten class this year, I was told by the school I had to take my kid to a 3-yearold class. I had to get him ready early and make a special trip from work to pick him up at 10:30 a.m. from school every day," the parent said. "It was a real pain. I would have not gone to this effort if I had known he was not going to be allowed to go into a 4- year-old kindergarten class this year. I would have kept him at home."

Assistant superintendent Dr. Linda Sellars said the economy has forced the district to make tough decisions to meet its basic mission of serving students in 5-year-old kindergarten through twelfth grade education programs.

"We regret that we will not be able to serve our students who were in 3- year-old kindergarten last year unless they meet the criteria for 4K," Sellars wrote in her letter to parents. "Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, all of our elementary schools will be designated as Title 1 schools and will receive federal funds to meet the needs of students of poverty. As a result, students must be served according to greatest need."

Some parents feel the district's decision to serve at-risk children is robbing other students of an opportunity to advance in their education.

Tom Sansing, owner of Papa G's in Blacksburg, is unhappy his granddaughter Layla Beattie will be forced to stay out of school. Sansing said he questions why education funding is not a greater priority when it keeps kids from seeing the benefit of early childhood education.

"I feel the ones who went to a 3-year-old class should be enrolled in the 4-year-old kindergarten class first regardless of the circumstances," Sansing said. "I want Layla to go to school this year because she enjoyed it and learned so much last year. She has gotten used to it and now she has to be out of school for another year. These kids are not being allowed to progress."

Blacksburg Primary and Mary Bramlett Elementary will be the only schools with two 4- year-old kindergarten classes next year. At Mary Bramlett, the school will serve children throughout the community.

The school district has applied for federal stimulus grant funds and is exploring a partnership with the federal Head Start pre-school program so more children can be served in 4-year-old kindergarten programs, Sellars said.

"We think early childhood education is very valuable and are disappointed we are not able to serve as many children as anticipated," Sellars said. "If slots become available during the summer, we will look at placing additional children in 4-year-old kindergarten classes."

Whether the school district has a change of heart, the sour taste over his kindergarten experience still lingers for Bratton as he thinks about his son's missed education opportunity.

"This was my introduction to dealing with the school system," Bratton said. "It has left a bad taste in my mouth. I am looking at other options for my child's education other than public school."

Guidelines for Selection

Students will be selected for the 4-year-old kindergarten program using the guidelines below.

A total possible score of 110-120 points indicates greatest need for the 4K program. A form should be completed on each child that is screened for the 4K program. Services from DSS: 20 Total Points Free Lunch: 20 points Reduced Lunch: 10 points Manual Additional Factors: 20 Total Points Incarceration of Parent (2 points) Abusive adult (2 points) Alcoholism/Substance Abuse — Parent less than 18 years of age at birth of first child (2 points) Parent with less than high school education (2 points) English as a Second Language (2 points) Poor social skills of child during DIAL 3 or with physician's written observation (2 points) Family status: single parent, traumatic events (death of parent), handicap of caregiver or family member (2 points) Individual Education Profiles (2 points) Bonus Points: Proof of enrollment/involvement in Family Literacy Program. Participation verification must be provided by Parent Educator or Family Literacy Coordinator or Family Literacy Coordinator (10 points)